The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, which was been in the thick of controversy over protests following the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as its chairman, has now made it compulsory for all new students to sign a ‘general conduct’ affidavit promising to maintain decorum and decency on campus and not to insult staff.
The document says that if a student violates these newly formed rules, the institute has full right to initiate disciplinary proceedings.
"I will follow all rules and regulations of FTII (Institute) regarding academics, discipline and behaviour towards others on the campus. I understand that the Institute has full right to initiate disciplinary proceedings against me for violation of any of its rules & regulation by me. I agree to maintain decorum & decency on the campus including in hostel & staff residential areas and in any circumstances would not be insulting to the faculty, staff members and elders," it states.
There are total of five affidavits that students have to sign.
The specimen of the self-declaration affidavit of "general conduct" on the campus is available on the official website of the FTII.
As per one of the undertakings, the students have to declare that they will follow all rules and regulations regarding hostel accommodation.
"I understand that accommodation in FTII may be provided only on the basis of its availability subject to fulfilling other terms & conditions. I will share accommodation offered to me by FTII willingly with others wherever FTII is providing the same to me," it stated.
Some students of old batches claimed that the move is aimed at ‘intimidating’ new entrants. The new batch of students will join FTII after two consecutive 'zero' years (no fresh admissions).
This comes months after the institution witnessed strident protests against appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman.
When the administration was asked the new rules, it said that making students sign such declaration is not a new practice as the new batch for television course too had signed similar declarations in 2014 at the time of admission.
FTII director Bhupendra Kainthola rejected the claims that students are being asked to sign the affidavits for the first time this year.
"All these declarations and affidavits are not new as these documents were signed by 2014 television batch as well. All these documents are same and there is no change and since new batches of film and television are going to start their session from August 1, 2016, we will explain to them about the rules and regulations of the institute and will ask them to sign the declarations," Kainthola said.
